Detachably attachable sun visor for wire-frame sports face mask

ABSTRACT

A sun visor for attaching to a wire cage-type sports face mask yet readily detachable if impacted, having a curved transparent sheet that extends in a U-shape to opposing sides, a pair of attachment connectors each on an inner surface proximate a distal extent of a respective side for engaging a respective side of the cage-type wire frame face mask.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to sun visors for wear by sports players. More particularly, the present invention relates to sun visors that detachably attach to protective cage-type wire-frame sports face masks to reduce sun light and glare for players engaged in game play.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many sports activities involve thrown or hit balls that are caught or grabbed by players during play. For example, softball sports activities involves thrown or batted balls during play in daylight games. A ball involved in this sport can be driven by the batter to a high velocity. Quickness and alertness are key factors for players in the field successfully catching or stopping the ball in flight. Sometimes the players are hit by the batted ball. This may happen when the player misjudges the flight path or the velocity of the ball, but in some instances, the event of the pitched ball being hit at high velocity occurs so quickly that the player is unable to defend against being hit. Balls that hit on the arms, legs or body of a player may be painful and potentially cause injury, but hits that impact the player's face are of more concern due to risk of injury to eyes, nose, mouth and teeth, and facial bones.

The athletic game industry has developed face masks having resistance to forces from impact of batted balls that fly to the face of a sports player. One type of face mask involves wire members that attach in spaced relation as a cage for a player to wear and to deflect impacts from a thrown or hit ball. Different configurations and sizes are provided for various sports activities.

Daytime softball games are played in range of ambient weather conditions sometimes overcast and sometimes bright blue cloudless skies. Bright sunlight directly or indirectly into the player's face may interfere with fielding plays and a player may shade with a hand held overhead.

To reduce lighting and glare from the sun during daylight play, players may wear sunglasses under the face mask or use a transparent sun visor that fixedly attaches on an inward side of the cage of the face mask. A transparent material allows light to pass through so that objects viewed through the material can be seen distinctly. The material may be tinted or treated to reduce light and glare.

While such devices reduce light and glare for viewing game actions and travel of the ball, there are drawbacks for use in active softball play. Players may jostle the sun glasses lose under the face mask while making a fielding play such as running towards a ball or while catching the softball. Inwardly attached sun visors may dislodge and cause interference while a player seeks to catch the softball cleanly.

Upon ball impact, the sun visor should remain attached or the sun visor should not break or dislodge and intrude behind the wire framework due to the strength of the polycarbonate material being used. Further, sun visors are used in other sports, for example football, and the sun visor must be readily detachable in the field without special tools and without moving the neck and/or head in case of injury so the eyes and face can be seen quickly by medical personal for assessment. Easy and fast removal is also a requirement for removing the sun visor by the player to adapt to changes in field conditions during a game.

Accordingly, there is a need in the art to providing a sun visor that is readily detachably attachable to a wire cage sports face mask for reducing sun lighting and glare during play of a game. It is to such that the present invention is directed.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention meets the need in the art by providing a sun visor for attaching in outward overlying relation to a wire cage-type sports face mask yet readily detachable if impacted. The sun visor comprises a transparent sheet having an arcuately curved face that extends in a U-shape to opposing sides and a pair of attachment connectors each on an inner surface proximate a distal extent of a respective side for engaging a respective side of a cage-type wire frame face mask.

Objects, advantages, and features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon a reading of the detailed description in conjunction with reference to the drawings of illustrative embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates in perspective view a sun visor for attaching to a wire frame sports face mask.

FIG. 2 illustrates in top plan view the sun visor illustrated in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 illustrates a sectional view of the sun visor illustrated in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 4 illustrates in perspective view an alternate embodiment of the sun visor for attaching to the wire frame sports face mask.

FIG. 5 illustrates in front elevational view the sun visor illustrated in FIG. 1 partially cut-away attached to a wire frame sports face mask.

FIG. 6 illustrates in plan view an alternate embodiment of a sun visor for attaching to a wire frame sports face mask.

FIG. 7 illustrates in perspective view the sun visor illustrated in FIG. 6 with a side portion bent over to illustrate a portion of the back side of the sun visor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to the drawings in which like parts have like identifiers, FIG. 1 illustrates in perspective view a sun visor 10 that in accordance with the present invention detachably attaches to an outward face of a protective cage-type sports face mask 12 and remaining in place during routine actions during play of a game while reducing sun light and glare to a player during the play yet readily detaching away from the face mask selectively for assisting injury assessment without undue movement of a player's head or when the face mask or sun visor is hit with a ball during sports play. The sun visor 10 in this embodiment comprises an arcuately curved transparent molded sheet having a forward curved face 14 tapering between an upper edge 16 and an opposing lower edge 18 and curvedly extending from a central face to opposing sides 20, thereby defining a U-shaped visor as shown in top plan view in FIG. 2 . The sun visor 10 defines a laterally extending upper edge flange 21, preferably curved, for extending over a top wire bar 50 (discussed below.)

The opposing sides 20 each have an attaching connector generally 22 on an inner surface proximate a distal end portion. In the illustrated embodiment, the attaching connector 22 comprises a magnet 28. The magnet 28 attaches to an inner surface of the side 20. In the illustrated embodiment, the magnet 28 seats in an open dish 24 defined by a perimeter wall 26 extending laterally from the inner surface of the side. The open dish 24 receives and holds the magnet 28. The magnet 28 may be sized for closely seating in the dish 24 such as a swedged, press-fit, or secured by a mechanical connection of the magnet with the side surface or within the perimeter wall 26 alternatively secured with a fastener such as a screw, rivet, or an adhesive, or held secured within a closed or closable recess in the side as a holding structure for the magnet. The magnet 28 is selected for an appropriate force sufficient to keep the sun visor 10 attached to the wire cage face mask 12 during usage normal for the particular sport.

The sun visor 10 in the illustrated embodiment further defines a slot 30 that extends vertically from the lower edge 18 inwardly to a distal end 19. In the illustrated embodiment, the slot 30 is centrally disposed for aligned receiving of a vertical member of the protective cage-type sports face mask 12. In an alternate embodiment in which the cage-type sports face mask has opposing side vertical members, the sun visor may include slots that align with such side vertical members.

In the illustrated embodiment, respective opposing thickened portions of the sun visor define a pair of opposing support webs 32 inwardly extending on or proximate opposing walls that define the slot 30. The support webs 32 are elongate troughs along a bottom edge of the sun visor A portion of the face 14 and the web 32 define a J-shape as shown in side view in FIG. 3 . The trough of the support web 32 has an opening 33 to an interior trough. The support webs 32 as illustrated in FIG. 3 receive through the opening 33 a respective portion of the transverse member of a wire cage face mask 12. The support webs 32 clip-on or snap-fit to the transverse member to hold the bottom edge 18 of the sun visor 10 to the wire cage face mask 12. The trough of the web 32 defines a cross-sectional profile that conforms in shape to a cross-sectional profile of the transverse member 33.

The sun visor 10 preferably is molded with a transparent polycarbonate material, and is preferably tinted for sunlight reduction or shading such as a smoke or gray color, brown, greenish tint, or other suitable coloring conventionally used for sun glasses, or may be clear. The material or surface may be treated to reduce passage of UV rays. Further, the surface may be treated to provide light polarization particularly to reduce glare while improving color saturation and contrast and to reduce the effect of UV-A and UV-B rays.

In the illustrated embodiment, the sheet has a thickness of 0.05 inches. As shown in top plan view in FIG. 2 , the upper edge 16 is defined by a first radius 33 and the lower edge 18 is defined by a second radius 35. The first radius 33 in the illustrated embodiment is 3.3 inches measured from a point 3.71 inches inwardly on a center line. The second radius 35 in the illustrated embodiment is 3.58 inches. The lower edge 18 tapers in the illustrated embodiment upwardly from the slot 30 to a narrower side portion proximate a distal end of the sides 20, as shown in side elevational view in FIG. 3 . The sun visor 10 has wall height at the central portion (on a central line defined by the slot 30 in the illustrated embodiment) of 3.13 inches and the narrowed side portion having a height of 1.99 inches. The slot 30 extends inwardly 0.16 inches. The arcuate face of the sun visor 10 has a vertical (lower edge to upper edge) curvature 37 defined by a radius 39 of 4.46 inches. The perimeter wall 26 defines a 0.5 inch diameter open recess for receiving the magnet 28. An alternate embodiment further includes a cap 41 that optionally closes the open recess for further securing the magnet 28.

With reference to FIG. 1 , the sun visor 10 is configured for detachable attaching outwardly of the wire cage-type face mask 12 for protecting the face of a player from direct impact by a ball during play of a sports event. The face mask 12 includes a head band 42 having an interior pad 43 for seating cushioningly against a player's forehead and head sides above the eyes and ears. The head band 42 is a flat elongated metal plate magnetically attractive such as steel, curved to define a U-shape of a forehead portion 44 and opposing side legs 46, 48. The U-shape plate of the head band 42 extends around the forehead and at opposing front corners extends rearwardly as side legs for positioning on opposing sides of a player's head. The side legs extend rearwardly a length to position the side plates 46, 48 forwardly of an ear portion of a player's head, for example, intermediate the temple and ears of the player. Openings in the forehead portion 20 and opposing side portions include respective slots or openings for attaching conventional adjustable head straps generally 49.

An upper bar 50 attaches to an outward face of the head band 42 along a bottom edge thereof and extends to opposing distal ends that attach to the side leg portions 46, 48. An intermediate bar 56 is vertically spaced from the upper bar 50. Opposing distal ends secure to the respective opposing sides 46, 48, and extends with the transverse portion 35 across a nose portion of a player's face. A lower bar 60 vertically spaced from the intermediate bar 56 extends laterally for positioning proximate the mouth and chin area of a player's face, and for example, angling upwardly and outwardly for spacing outwardly along lower jaw lines of a player. The distal ends secure to a lower portion of the respective sides 46, 48.

A chin plate 62 attaches centrally on an inward side of the lower bar 60 and preferably includes a detachable cushion chin pad 64 for cushioningly abutting a lower jaw/chin area of the face of a player wearing the face mask 12. A front bar 76 attaches at a first end to the lower bar 60 medial the lateral edges of the chin plate 62 and at a second end to the intermediate bar 56. An alternate embodiment (not illustrated) of the face mask 12 includes a pair of lateral side bars attached respectively to the lower bar 60, the intermediate bar 56, and the header 42 on opposing sides of the vertical front bar 76.

FIG. 5 illustrates in front elevational view the sun visor 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 partially cut-away attached to the wire frame sports face mask 12. The support webs 32 clip to the transverse portions 35 of the intermediate member 56. The slot 30 receives an upper portion of the vertical front member 76 for facilitating aligned seating of the sun visor 10 on the face mask 12.

FIG. 6 illustrates in plan view a sun visor 80 as an alternate embodiment of the sun visor for attaching to the wire frame sports face mask 12 in accordance with the present invention. The sun visor 80 comprises a planar sheet of a transparent plastic material. The sun visor 80 has a front face 82 and opposing back surface 84 and opposing sides wings 86, 88. Distal end portions of the side wings 86, 88 include the attaching connectors 22. In the illustrated embodiment, the attaching connectors are the magnets 28 secured to the inward or back side of the sun visor 80. The lower edge of the sun visor 80 includes a pair of spaced-apart magnetic elongate members 90 attached with an adhesive to the back surface 84. The magnetic elongate members 90 engage the transverse portions 35 of the intermediate member 56 to hold the bottom edge of the sun visor 80 to the face mask 12. The illustrated embodiment also optionally includes a vertical slot 92 for facilitating aligned seating of the sun visor 80 to the front of the face mask 12.

FIG. 7 illustrates in perspective view the sun visor 80 illustrated in FIG. 6 with the side wing 88 curvedly bent over to illustrate a portion of the back surface 84 of the sun visor. The magnet 28 secures to the back surface of the distal portion of the side wings 86, 88 and the magnetic elongate member 90 secures to the back surface on a lower edge.

With reference to FIG. 1 , the face mask 12 is worn conventionally, with the wire cage overlying and outwardly extending from the player's face and secured with the head straps 49. The player selectively attaches the sun visor 10 to the outward face of the cage of the face mask 12. The slot 30 receives the vertical front bar 76 and guides the aligned positioning of the sun visor 10 on the face mask 12. The support webs 32 clip to the transverse portions 35 of the intermediate member 56. The opposing sides 20 attach with the attaching connectors 22 to engage the sides 46, 48. In the illustrated embodiment, the magnets 28 attach to the sides 46, 48 of the face mask 20. The upper edge 21 extends over the top wire bar 50. The webs 32 on opposing sides of the slot 30 provide support for the bottom edged of the sun visor connected to the transverse portion 35 of the intermediate transverse member 56. The slot 30 restricts lateral movement of the sun visor 10 during routine play while wearing the face mask 12.

The sun visor 10 positioned on the face mask 12 reduces sunlight and glare in the eyes of the player. In the event of a sharp justling play, such as two players colliding in attempts to make a fielding play, or the ball striking the face mask 12 or the sun visor 10, the sun visor 10 may readily detach from the contacting connection of the mounts 22 to the sides 46, 48 of the face mask 12 and the sun visor 10 detaches from the intermediate member 56, and the sun visor falls away. After the play, the player may readily reattach the sun visor 10 for continued sun light and glare reduction.

As noted above, the magnet 28 is selected for having an appropriate force sufficient to keep the sun visor attached through usage normal for the particular sport, which is generally referred to as a “pull force” or the strength of the magnetic field. Pull force is how much force necessary to exert when pulling a magnet away from a steel object or another magnet. Magnetic force is characterized in term of pounds or Newtons, as a magnetic strength measurement. The energy product of a magnet is measured in terms of Mega Gauss Oersteds (MGOe) as an indicator of a magnets “strength”. In general, the higher a maximum energy product value, the greater the magnetic field the magnet will generate in a particular application.

The attaching connector 22 comprises opposing detachably engageable members each having a respective mating characteristic. In an alternate embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4 , the attaching connector 22 may be one of a pair of opposing mating members 51, 53 of a snap connector, such as mating male and female members. One member attaches to the inside surface of the a respective side of the sun visor 10 and the other member attaches to the outward surface of the side of the protective wire cage-type sports face mask 12, for selective detachable attachment of the sun visor to the face mask. In yet another alternate embodiment, the attaching connector 22 may comprise detachably attachable hook-and-loop patches 51, 53 each attached to a respective sun visor 10 and face mask 12. In yet another alternate embodiment, the wire cage face mask may be molded of a polycarbonate material. An outward surface of each of the sides 46, 48 includes an attached magnetically attractive plate 53, for magnetically connecting to respective magnet 51 attached to the inner surface of the opposing side walls 20.

With reference to FIGS. 6 and 7 , the alternate embodiment sun visor 80 detachably seats on the face mask 12. The sheet aligns centrally with the front vertical member 76. In the illustrated embodiment, the optional slot 92 receives the front vertical member 76. The opposing spaced-apart elongate magnetic members 90 connect to the transverse portion 35 to secure the bottom of the sun visor to the face mask 12. The sun visor 80 curvedly wraps over the face mask 12 and the opposing magnets 28 on the respective side wings 86, 88 connect to the side 46, 48.

The sun visor 80 in alternate embodiments uses attaching connectors 22 discussed above, including mating snap connectors, hook-and-loop fabric mating patches, and magnets and magnetically attractive plates.

It thus is seen that the foregoing describes a sun visor in various embodiments readily detachably attachable to a protective wire cage-type sports face mask for reducing sun light and glare to the player during play yet readily detachable for injury assessment or during player collisions or softball impacts to the sun visor or the face mask during fielding plays. Although the sun visor has been illustrated and described in various embodiments, it should be understood that many modifications, additions, and deletions may be made without departure from the scope of the invention disclosed herein. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A sun visor for attaching in outward overlying relation to a wire cage-type sports face mask, comprising: a transparent sheet having an arcuately curved face that extends in a U-shape to opposing sides; and a pair of attachment connectors each on an inner surface proximate a distal extent of a respective side for engaging a respective side of a cage-type wire frame face mask.
 2. The sun visor as recited in claim 1, wherein the sheet defines a slot extending from a lower edge for receiving a member of the cage-type wire frame face mask.
 3. The sun visor as recited in claim 1, wherein each of the attachment connectors comprises a magnet.
 4. The sun visor as recited in claim 2, wherein each respective opposing side has a perimeter wall extending laterally from an inner surface to define a receiving dish; and each magnet seating within a respective receiving dish.
 5. The sun visor as recited in claim 1, wherein each of the attachment connectors comprises a first mating connector, for detachably connecting to a second mating connector attached to the cage-type wire frame face mask.
 6. The sun visor as recited in claim 5, wherein the first mating connector comprises a loop fabric fastener member.
 7. The sun visor as recited in claim 5, wherein the first mating connector comprises a hook fabric fastener member.
 8. The sun visor as recited in claim 5, wherein each of the attachment connectors comprises a magnet and the sides are magnetically attractive.
 9. The sun visor as recited in claim 5, wherein each of the attachment connectors comprises one of a two-member snap connector.
 10. The sun visor as recited in claim 1, wherein the slot is defined centrally between opposing lateral sides.
 11. The sun visor as recited in claim 1, wherein the transparent sheet is tinted.
 12. The sun visor as recited in claim 1, wherein the transparent sheet is treated to resist UV.
 13. The sun visor as recited in claim 1, wherein the transparent sheet is treated for polarization of light.
 14. The sun visor as recited in claim 1, wherein the transparent sheet is a flexible planar sheet for wrappingly overlying the cage-type wire frame face mask.
 15. The sun visor as recited in claim 1, wherein the transparent sheet further comprises means for securing a bottom edge to a transverse member of the cage-type wire frame face mask.
 17. The sun visor as recited in claim 15, wherein the securing means comprises a receiving trough extending from a lower edge of the transparent sheet.
 18. The sun visor as recited in claim 17 wherein the receiving trough comprises a pair of spaced-apart troughs.
 19. The sun visor as recited in claim 15, wherein the securing means comprises an elongated magnetic member attached to a lower edge portion of the transparent sheet for magnetically securing to the transverse member of the cage-type wire frame face mask.
 20. The sun visor as recited in claim 1, wherein the cage-type wire frame face mask comprises a polycarbonate material and further comprising a pair of mating connectors each attached to respective distal portion of a side member for engaging the attachment connectors. 